Women's hoops roundup: Ranked PSU, Nebraska win

Eight Big Ten women’s basketball teams were in action Sunday, including No. 8 Penn State and No. 18 Nebraska. The Lady Lions downed Howard, 72-61, and the Huskers throttled Temple, 64-39. Get recaps, box scores and video from the day’s action in this post.

Illinois 84, Evansville 52RECAP | BOX
The Fighting Illini women’s basketball team kicked off the Bollant era with a 84-52 victory over the Evansville Purple Aces inside Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon. Amber Moore led the way with 19 points on 7-17 shooting from the field, including going 5-11 from beyond the arc. Moore also added four rebounds, four assists and one steal in her 33 minutes of play today.

Iowa 74, Illinois State 64RECAP | BOX
The University of Iowa women’s basketball team shot free throws and saved its legs Sunday while advancing to the semifinals of the Preseason WNIT with a 74-64 victory against Illinois State on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Michigan State 83, Texas-Arlington 39RECAP | BOX
The 2012-13 season began on a high note for the Michigan State women’s basketball team, as the Spartans beat UT Arlington, 83-39 Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center. Five Spartans posted double digit scoring efforts, led by career high totals from juniors Klarissa Bell (19 points) and Annalise Pickrel (18).

Minnesota 75, Villanova 60RECAP | BOX
The Minnesota (2-0) women’s basketball team claimed the Best Buy Classic title with a 75-60 victory over Villanova (1-1) Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena. Sophomore Rachel Banham was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and junior Micaëlla Riché was named to the all-tournament team.

Nebraska 64, Temple 39RECAP | BOX
Jordan Hooper scored 12 points, leading a balanced Nebraska offense, and the 18th-ranked Cornhuskers had no trouble with Temple on Sunday in a 64-39 win.

Northwestern 82, Central Michigan 72RECAP | BOX
Every member of Northwestern’s starting five scored in double-figures as the Wildcats improved to 2-0 with an 82-72 win over Central Michigan on Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Freshman Lauren Douglas poured in 20 points and added 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her college career.

Penn State 72, Howard 61RECAP | BOX
No. 8 Penn State may have beaten Howard 72-61, though the sour looks on the faces of Coquese Washington and her players made it seem as if they had opened a season of high expectations with a crushing loss. Maggie Lucas scored 25 points, but the Lady Lions only took control after turning up its pressure defense to close the first half with a 14-0 run.